Before going viral, 'Sampaguita Girl' featured in photo book on Quiapo vendors

The image of a 'Sampaguita Girl' has gone viral online because of her good looks.

But Veronica Rodillas, the subject of the fawning on social media, has been turning heads long before her the latest trend.

In 2013, Veronica was featured in the book "Life's Arcade: Quiapo" by renowned Filipino photographer Rick Rocamora.

The photos that included Veronica and her fellow Quiapo vendors even went on display at the Jorge Vargas Museum at University of the Philippines-Diliman that year.

On Facebook, the photographer posted some photos of Veronica from the project.

(Photos by Rick Rocamora published with permission.)

"She was a recipient of financial help to cover some of her college expenses for a time period from an anonymous benefactor," he wrote.

In an interview with 24 Oras on Wednesday, Veronica expressed surprise at her newfound prominence.

"Nagulat po ako, gawa nga po nung nag-viral 'yung picture ko, kasi 'di ba po kadalasan may nagpapa-picture mga artista o yung mga taong may nagagawang mabuti," she told GMA News' Oscar Oida. —JST, GMA News